Valentine's Day Glam Date Night Look

19:12Alice Grace

Valentine's Day. Whether you lap up the love or consider it a cringe-worthy, Hallmark holiday, I think it's always a nice excuse to celebrate relationships with anyone you care for, not just your partner. If you're single, then getting glammed up and heading for a night out with friends is always a winner and, if you're loved up, it's always nice to make a bit of an extra effort with your makeup, whether you're Netflix & chillin' or going for a fancy, romantic dinner. Last year, I wore quite a neutral makeup look and opted for a bold lip, but this year I wanted to make the eyes the main feature and create something a bit more daring, colour-wise.

To help my base look flawless and last all night long, I started with my beloved Soap & Glory One Heck Of A Blot Primer. Although the formula is silicone-based and completely smoothes out the skin, it feels hydrating and doesn't leave a heavy, sticky layer behind. For a little luxury and to really make myself feel great, I decided to use my Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation. This base is so liquid and light that it buffs into the skin so perfectly, creating an even-toned, natural satin finish. To brighten and add a fresh glow, I blended a tiny dot of the Clarins Instant Concealer in the v-shape under my eyes and along the top of the cheeks. On any areas of redness and in the very corners of my eyes, I applied a little of the Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer. Providing amazing coverage and photographing beautifully, this concealer is one of my favourites for special occasions. To set everything in place without taking the radiance away completely, I dusted a little of the Hourglass Dim Light Powder from the Ambient Lighting Palette all over, mainly focusing on where I'd applied concealer. These powders make the complexion look so healthy and lit from within, without leaving a chalky texture on the skin.

Warming up the complexion slightly, I used my current favourite bronzer, the Loreal Glam Bronze Bronzer. This formula blends so evenly, giving the skin such a gorgeous, smooth colour, without turning muddy or going patchy. As it's matte, you can use it to add definition, too. As I wanted more of a dramatic contour, I swept some of the sculpt shade from the Sunkissed Sculpt & Glow* under my cheekbones and used the highlight on top. An affordable dupe for the Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar Bronze & Glow, this is a lovely duo, but the pigmentation isn't quite as strong and the formula isn't as soft. But, it costs a fraction of the price and is great for anyone just starting to experiment with contouring. To amp up the glow even further, I layered up my highlights and used the Autograph Pure Luxe Highlighting Powder in Golden Rose on any high-points of my face. This powder is so finely-milled and buttery smooth that it genuinely feels like a cream product and the rose gold shade is every bloggers dream! To keep with the pinky-purple tones that I'd planned for my eyes, I chose Benefit's Rockateur for blush. Just using a small amount perks up the cheeks and gives a believable flush that isn't too overpowering.

Keeping the brows simple, I stuck with my Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz and brushed through them generously, to avoid an obviously drawn-on finish. As the nib is so fine, you can easily recreate the look of individual brow hairs. On my eyes, I first used the Nars Velvet Shadow Stick in Goddess as a primer. This shimmery, pink champagne shade is gorgeous worn alone, but the cream texture and light colour make it the perfect base to intensify powder shadows. Applying my transitional shade first, to make blending easier later on, I used MAC Wedge, a warm, matte mid-toned brown. My favourite part of the makeup look has to be the Kiko Water Eyeshadows in 203 & 205. Although you can use these eyeshadows wet to power-up the pigment, I didn't want the colours to be too vibrant for a date night. On the inner and outer thirds of my eyes, I applied the brighter, plum/raspberry tone (203), keeping the center of my lid free from colour. Then I added some of the darker, blackened-purple shade (205) on the outer corner and flitted between building up the colour and blending, until I was happy with the look. Underneath the eyes, I mixed the two Kiko eyeshadows and applied them. In the very center of the lid, I swept some of MAC Shroom to lighten the area, before pressing on some of MAC's Melon Pigment for some added sparkle.

Smudging some of the Smashbox Limitless Eyeliner in Onyx along my upper lash-line and through my waterline/tightline added some much-needed definition and immediately helped to make the eyes look more flattering (as pinky-red tones can make the eyes look sore and irritated without liner). After applying a quick coat of Loreal False Lash Flutter Mascara, I put on a pair of Revlon Defining 91181 Lashes. Although these lashes are fairly dramatic, the graduating tips help to create a flirty, fluttery look. For the lips, I wanted to keep things nude, so used my MAC Subculture Lip Pencil followed by the Nars Lip Gloss in Chelsea Girls*. The dusky rose lipliner creates soft, subtle definition whilst the creamy, pinky-beige gloss finishes off the look. Nars glosses aren't at all sticky or gloopy and wear down evenly to a hydrating glaze of colour, so there's no need to worry that your date may be put off any kissing!

What are your plans for Valentine's Day? Will you be doing anything special with your makeup?

This is a stunning look, and I think I might be attempting it quite soon. Although I'll have to adapt as I don't own even half of what you do. But they're all products I'e been dying to get my hands on!

Great make-up review and blog! I hope you had a fantastic time. I'm loving transforming my make-up looks from winter to spring at the moment, so fresh ☺️http://precious-needs.com/2016/04/24/spring-in-my-step/http://precious-needs.com/2016/04/24/spring-in-my-step/